If you read my previous post about the climb to Olumo Rock, you would know what TIDA (Tourism Innovation & Development Advantage) had planned out for Nigeria this year!
We finally launched the very first Virtual Tourism in Nigeria on the 15th of February, 2018! Which was unveiled by Mr. Steve Ayorinde, Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture. Let me explain this to you – you know how you close your eyes and you dream of yourself being in another state or country? Well, you do not have to close your eyes to do that anymore, all you have to do is get one of these VR head sets and put it on like goggles, next thing you see yourself in a beautiful tourist attraction in Nigeria! And guess what? It’s in 3D!
It was an awesome experience! Like I said on twitter, it felt like I was in two places at once! I am happy that we have bright minds in Nigeria coming together to push Nigeria forward in Tourism. The experience on the Virtual Reality only gives you a teaser of what lies ahead of those tourist attraction.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Steve Ayorinde, Ogun State Commissioner of Culture & Tourism- RT. Hon. Muyiwa Oladapo, Prince Yemisi Shyllon, special adviser to Lagos state Governor, Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), were all present at the Launch of virtual tourism in Nigeria, and they all pledged to support this movement to the best of their ability.
Mr. Steve Ayorinde mentioned that Lagos State would inaugurate its first Tourism calendar, and he said – “This is the first of its kind; the calendar will show plans, venues and dates of festivals, carnivals and conferences. It will also provide guides on how tourists, visitors and the public can enjoy such events”.
The commissioner said the idea behind the calendar was borne out of the need to encourage the development of tourism potential of the nation.
Also, Mr. Muyiwa Oladipo, the Ogun State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, said the African Drum Festival would be holding in April in Ogun. According to him, the drum is very essential in every stage of our lives, and at every occasion or festival the sound of the drum is heard. “To celebrate this heritage, we came up with the Annual African Drum Festival in Ogun,”.
Omooba Adekunle Adeyemo the Executive Assistant to the founder of La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort presented the paper on behalf of Mr. Otunba Wanle Akinboboye, the Chairman of La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, he said; “Nigeria is the greatest country in the world in terms of tourism with different types of tourism.’’
“We have religious tourism, cultural tourism, educational tourism, sport tourism, music tourism, agricultural tourism, and heritage tourism amongst others. The Ikogosi Warm Springs in Ekiti is the only warm spring in the world. All the others are Geysers.
He later urged the Federal Government to create a separate Ministry of Tourism and Culture.
Who is with him on this? I am! He then mentioned some interesting statistics about tourism in Nigeria, saying;
20% of Nigerians have time and money to go on holidays/tours
30% do not have time, but they have the funds
50% have no funds and have no time
Lastly, this is something exciting! Mr. Segun Ogunleye revealed that there is a TOURIST LOAN FACILITY where tourist like yourself & I can seek for loan to go on a tour!
Now the question is where to we locate virtual tours museums in Lagos Nigeria?
Below are other pictures from the event. Who wants to see a video on the launch?!
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PHOTO CREDIT: @Stylomedia1
“Let’s focus on the positive – focus on what is working”
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